The survival horror shooter, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, achieved such phenomenal success in its home country that it overloaded the Ukrainian internet infrastructure. This article delves into the game's launch and the developers' reaction to this unprecedented event.

A Nation Enters The Zone

The massive popularity of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 on its November 20th release date caused significant internet slowdowns across Ukraine. Major internet providers, Tenet and Triolan, reported normal daytime speeds, but a dramatic decrease in the evening, directly attributed to the simultaneous downloads by thousands of players. Triolan's Telegram statement, as translated by ITC, cited "increased load on the channels due to the massive interest in the release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R." as the cause.

Even after successful downloads, many players encountered login and loading difficulties. The widespread internet disruption lasted for hours before resolving as players completed their downloads. GSC Game World, the developer, expressed both pride and surprise at the overwhelming response.

Creative director Mariia Grygorovych commented, "It was tough for the whole country, and the internet disruption was a negative consequence, but at the same time, it was incredible!" She added, "For our team, the most important thing is that we brought a little joy to people in Ukraine. We achieved something positive for our home country."

The game's immense popularity is undeniable, with sales reaching a staggering 1 million copies within just two days of release. Despite acknowledged performance issues and bugs, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 sold exceptionally well globally, particularly in Ukraine.

GSC Game World, a Ukrainian studio operating from Kyiv and Prague, faced challenges bringing the game to market. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine repeatedly delayed the launch, but the team ultimately released the game in November. They remain dedicated to addressing the game's bugs and performance issues through ongoing updates, with a third major patch released earlier this week.